Greetings from Consul General OSUMI Yo

My name is OSUMI Yo, and it is my pleasure to serve as the new Consul General of Japan in San Francisco.

San Francisco has historically been center stage to Japan-U.S. relations. In 1860, the ship Kanrin Maru arrived in San Francisco as the first Japanese diplomatic mission to the United States. Since then, many Japanese nationals have made the voyage and, in 1870, our Consulate was founded as Japan’s first overseas diplomatic establishment. Roughly 70 years ago, both the San Francisco Peace Treaty and the cornerstone to the Japan-U.S. alliance, the first Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, were signed in this city. With that in mind, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to work in a city that has been so instrumental to Japan-U.S. relations.

Currently, within our jurisdiction, there are about 44,000 Japanese nationals who live and work in Northern California, with Nevada home to about 4,000 Japanese nationals. In Silicon Valley, which has long been a driving force behind global innovation, many Japanese companies have historically joined in this advancement, creating nearly 105,000 jobs. In Nevada, especially in recent years, the presence of Japanese companies has increased. Alongside ensuring the safety of our Japanese residents and providing consular services, our Consulate will actively support Japanese companies in further strengthening economic relations.

Furthermore, I understand that San Francisco and San Jose are home to two of three existing Japantowns in the United States. By cherishing the historical bonds between Japan and Japanese American society and with the aim of furthering relations between both countries, I look forward to collaborating with those of Japanese descent to showcase and introduce Japanese culture while focusing efforts on grassroots exchange, starting with Japan-U.S. sister city relations.

Going forward, while listening to your suggestions and advice, I will endeavor to further relations between Japan and Northern California, as well as between Japan and Nevada.